How planning ahead can save you heartache in the future
If you are a dog owner, the chances are that your pet has become more like a member of the family and that you would do anything you could to keep him happy and healthy. Unfortunately, accidents and illnesses are a fact of life and there may come a time when your dog requires major surgery or another expensive treatment. For some pet parents, the cost of these unexpected treatments is simply unmanageable but, without them, the dog cannot survive. In cases like this, the only option may be euthanasia to spare the pet from pain and suffering. What many pet parents don’t realize, however, is that having a pet insurance plan can prevent this from ever becoming a reality.
What is Pet Insurance
Pet insurance is to pets what health insurance is to people – it provides coverage for veterinary services related to the illness or injury of your pet. For example, if your dog is covered by a pet insurance policy and he suddenly falls ill, your policy will cover a portion of the costs for his treatments. Like health insurance, pet insurance policies require you to pay a monthly premium to be covered by the plan – depending on the plan, you may also be subject to certain annual or per-incident deductibles that you have to cover before the plan will pay out any benefits. Certain companies do not provide coverage for pre-existing conditions and some will not cover pets over a certain age.
Related:Types Of Dog Insurance Policies
Given the restrictions that come with pet insurance, you may be wondering why you should even consider it. In 2013, pet owners in the US spent an estimated$14.3 billion on their pets and, in 2014, the amount spent on veterinary bills is expected to exceed $15 billion. A routine trip to the vet may only cost you $50 or less, but what if your dog gets into an accident or falls ill and requires treatment that costs thousands of dollars? Are you prepared to cover those costs on short notice? Pet insurance provides pet owner with the peace of mind to know that, in the event of an unexpected illness or injury, their pet will be able to receive the treatment it needs.
How Pet Insurance Protects Your Pet
Most pet insurance plans provide coverage in the event of accidents or illness – some offer coverage for preventive care as well, though you will likely pay extra for it. For a monthly fee, you will receive peace of mind knowing that your dog will be covered in the event of an accident or severe illness. Rather than having to cover the cost of treatments yourself, you will be reimbursed by your pet insurance company. For many people, this coverage makes the difference between recovery and euthanasia for their pets – without pet insurance, it would not be financially possible for the pet to receive the treatment it needs. If your pet is covered, however, you have nothing to worry about.
Related:Dog Insurance Pros and Cons
Things to Consider
It doesn’t matter how long you’ve owned your dog – he is a member of your family and you may even think of him as your child. If your biological child were to fall ill and needed expensive treatment, you would do everything you could to make sure he got it. Why shouldn’t your pet receive the same? If you do not have a pet insurance policy, you may one day be faced with the decision of whether to swallow the cost of expensive treatments that you can’t afford or to put your pet to sleep. If you truly want what is best for your pet, both now and in the future, you should consider a pet insurance policy.
